Not long ago, a wave of excitement swept through the scientific community as researchers reported they were edging closer to confirming the existence of alien civilizations. Sudden bursts of infrared light—possibly evidence of extraterrestrials harnessing energy from stars in our galaxy—left scientists both intrigued and baffled. The unusual signals defied any known natural explanation, opening the door to bold new theories about intelligent life beyond Earth.

In the midst of this growing cosmic curiosity, one of the most influential voices in space exploration has stepped into the conversation: Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur and founder of SpaceX recently shared his thoughts on what might happen if one of his satellites were to encounter alien life. His answer? Bold, unapologetic, and—as always—buzz-worthy.

Since founding SpaceX in March 2002, Musk has made no secret of his ambitions to make humanity a multiplanetary species. His ultimate vision includes building a sustainable colony on Mars and pushing the boundaries of rocket technology. Though the dream of a Martian settlement is still years, if not decades, away, SpaceX has achieved remarkable progress. From reusable rockets to thousands of satellites launched into Earth’s orbit, the company has become a leader in both commercial and exploratory space missions.

On May 6th, speaking at the prestigious Milken Institute Global Conference in California, Musk addressed the tantalizing question of alien life head-on. Standing before an audience of global leaders, scientists, and tech magnates, the Tesla CEO dove into the mysteries of the universe with his signature blend of scientific curiosity and showman flair.

According to Musk, SpaceX currently operates around 6,000 satellites—many of which are part of the Starlink network providing global internet access. These satellites, as he noted, are technically capable of detecting anomalies or unusual signals that might indicate extraterrestrial activity. But so far, the silence of space has been deafening.

“I see no evidence of aliens,” Musk stated plainly. “If I did, I’d post it immediately on X!” (formerly Twitter), he added, triggering laughter from the audience. “That kind of thing doesn’t need a press conference.”

He emphasized that despite the sheer number of satellites in orbit and the vast range of data they collect, there has never been a single incident suggesting the presence of alien life. “SpaceX has nearly 6,000 satellites in orbit, and not once have we had to maneuver around aliens. Not once,” Musk said. “So I think, okay, I don’t see any evidence of aliens.”

But while dismissing direct evidence, Musk didn’t discount the possibility entirely. After all, space is unimaginably vast, and even with thousands of satellites scanning the skies, the universe may be hiding its secrets in places we haven’t yet looked. Musk’s openness to the unknown reflects his overall philosophy—challenge accepted norms, question everything, and explore relentlessly.

During the conference, he also took the opportunity to call out a curious contradiction among some conspiracy theorists. “It’s funny,” Musk mused. “A lot of the people who believe there are aliens living among us also think we never went to the Moon. I mean, think about that for a second.” The remark drew both amusement and applause, highlighting Musk’s continued ability to stir debate and challenge popular narratives.

While his statements may seem lighthearted, they underscore a more serious point: the search for extraterrestrial life is no longer confined to science fiction. With real scientific observations now fueling the discussion, and private companies like SpaceX operating thousands of observation-capable satellites, the question of “Are we alone?” is being treated with newfound seriousness.

And should the answer to that question ever turn out to be “No,” Elon Musk has made it clear—he won’t keep it a secret. In a world of official briefings, classified files, and government gatekeeping, Musk’s promise to tweet any alien encounter in real time is as bold as it is on-brand.

For now, though, Earth remains eerily quiet in the cosmic void. No alien interference, no strange spacecraft, no cosmic handshakes. But with thousands of satellites scanning the skies and visionaries like Musk pushing deeper into space, who knows what tomorrow might bring? One thing’s for certain: if aliens do make contact, X will probably know before CNN.